On December 22, 2011, police in Angelina County, Texas arrested 20-year-old Alice Horton and charged her with possession of a controlled substance after a field test was positive for methamphetamine.
Horton, who had a prior felony drug conviction, accepted an offer from the Angelina County District Attorney’s Office and pled guilty on February 3, 2012. Horton was sentenced to three years in prison.
In October 2012, the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory tested the material that was seized and the tests were negative for the presence of a controlled substance.
The Angelina County District Attorney’s Office notified Horton’s defense attorney and supported a state petition for a writ of habeas corpus.
In July 2013, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals granted the writ and vacated Horton’s conviction. The prosecution then dismissed the charge. Horton remained incarcerated on other unrelated charges.
– Maurice Possley
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